§ 161-a. Implementation of negotiated agreements. 1. Where, and to the
extent that, an agreement between the state and an employee organization
entered into pursuant to article fourteen of this chapter provides for
health benefits, the president, after receipt of written directions from
the director of employee relations, shall implement the provisions of
such agreement consistent with the terms thereof and to the extent
necessary shall adopt regulations providing for the benefits to be
thereunder provided. The president, with the approval of the director of
the budget, may extend such benefits, in whole or in part, to employees
not subject to the provisions of such agreement.

2. Insofar as the provisions of this section are inconsistent with any
other act, general or special, or any rule or regulation adopted
thereunder, the provisions of this section shall be controlling and
insofar as the regulations promulgated by the president pursuant to
subdivision one of this section are inconsistent with any rule or
regulation, the provisions of such regulations shall be controlling.

3. There is hereby created a council on employee health insurance to
supervise the administration of changes to the health benefit plan
negotiated in collective negotiations and to provide continuing policy
direction to insurance plans administered by the state the provisions of
any other law to the contrary notwithstanding. The council shall consist
of the president, the director of the division of the budget, and the
director of employee relations.